Many Android users have noticed that their Play Store system app updates are no longer appearing in the update list, especially when automatic updates are turned off. This change has caused confusion, as it’s unclear whether this is a bug or an intentional modification by Google, potentially causing users to miss important updates.
Why Are Play Store System App Updates Not Listed?
The issue arises in the ‘Manage apps & device’ section of the Google Play Store, specifically on the ‘Pending downloads’ screen. Normally, all apps with available updates are listed here. However, system applications like YouTube, Pixel Camera, or Settings Services are now absent from this list, even when a new version is available. Curiously, the Play Store might still send a notification about new updates, but the list appears empty when users check. This gives the false impression that all applications are current.
The reason behind this shift may be that Google now considers these system apps as components that should be updated silently in the background, similar to Google Play Services. However, for users who deliberately disable automatic updates, this means their apps might not get updated at all, leaving them without potential security patches or new features.
Which Google Apps Are Affected?
Some of the common Google applications identified as being affected by this issue include:
- Android System Intelligence
- Google Clock
- Pixel Camera
- Pixel Launcher
- YouTube
- YouTube Music
- Data Restore Tool
- Google Partner Setup
Although updates for these apps do not appear in the pending list, the ‘Update’ button is active and visible if you navigate directly to the app’s page in the Play Store.
How to Manually Update Your System Apps
If you prefer to keep automatic updates turned off but want to ensure your system apps are up-to-date, there are a couple of effective workarounds. The most direct method is to manually search for the app you want to update in the Play Store and tap the ‘Update’ button on its page. Alternatively, you can temporarily enable automatic updates through the ‘Network preferences’ settings. This will allow all pending updates to download and install automatically.
So, what are your thoughts on this Play Store update issue? Share your opinions with us in the comments!
